Engine Block Casting Date

[Conserv]

Anyone who has read a few of my threads knows that I'm pretty obsessed with manufacturing dates, and VIN's, and numerous other items that, frankly, have little to do with the fun of driving an '02. Nonetheless, some people must shoulder the burden of the boring stuff, and I'm happy to help carry that load.

 

First, it's not yet clear to me whether every single '02 engine block has a clear, easy-to-analyze, casting date. But it sure appears so. The styles I've seen, and variations of its placement, probably vary with the age and style of the casting apparatus, or maybe even the subcontractor if '02 engine blocks were not cast by BMW itself.  I haven't yet confirmed what the "EB" on most M10 blocks indicates, although I'm betting it represents the name of the foundry actually producing thusly-marked blocks (EDIT:  Eisenwerk Bruehl, thanks to forum member saaron).  What I certainly know is that I haven't yet seen enough samples of M10 blocks.

 

But as I looked at a tii block on eBay, I was struck by the bare block's very clear date.  Between and partially below the #1 and #2 expansion plugs on the right side of the block is "72" and, below it, in an oval frame "11D".  This is clearly shown in the sixth of eight photos that accompanied the eBay listing:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252478211765?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

I'd bet some clever, technologically-savvy forum member could figure out a way to get that photo onto this forum, so the photo doesn't disappear with the listing.  But such wizardry is far above my pay grade.  NOTE: Photos added below thanks to hynrgee. END NOTE

 

So...in the world of casting dates -- yes, I do this same craziness on my 1961 Ford F-350 truck -- "72" means 1972 and 11D means April 11 (letters frequently represent months, starting with A for January but skipping I).  Thus, I would contend this block was cast on April 11, 1972.  The block's engine number is 2761590, which my VIN cheat sheet tells me was likely a May 1972 car.  So the block's casting date meshes nicely with the car's manufacturing date.

 

Certainly there are forum members who have tidily-bare blocks we can analyze in a similar manner, so that perhaps we can figure out the limits of engine block casting dates, i.e., when you CANNOT decipher a casting date on an '02 block.

 

This thread is the sad and inevitable result of sitting me in NYC, 579 miles from my '76 -- which is in North Carolina for its Big Re-Paint -- and 133 miles from my '73 -- which is being stored in Pennsylvania!  I want you to feel my pain! ☺️

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Steve

 

Fortunately, hynrgee came to my rescue, so below are the relevant photos:

 

Edited December 30, 2018 by Conserv

[hynrgee]

Least I can do for all you contribute. Thanks.

[Conserv]

Brilliant, hynrgee!  Thank you!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited August 18, 2016 by Conserv

[jgerock]

Is that a bullet shell?

[Conserv]

1 minute ago, jgerock said:

Is that a bullet shell?

 

Jim,

 

It's sure as hell some sort of bad repair.  I'd say that's a nice guess, but it might be larger than most shells -- unless it's 50 caliber!

 

Look what you've done, Jim: you've gotten me off-track by the third post!  Think CASTING DATE!  ?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Conserv]

And, no, I will not comment on the pricing of this block with the "sloppy repair", whatever it is.  If I owned VIN 2761590, however -- the car, without the block -- I'd be talking to the seller!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

Edited August 19, 2016 by Conserv

[jgerock]

Any bonus for birdseed stuffed 121 head?

[Conserv]

20 minutes ago, jgerock said:

Any bonus for birdseed stuffed 121 head?

 

So...a block casting date of July 3, 1972 ("72" over "3G" in the oval frame) for VIN 2762332, manufactured July 26, 1972. Again, everything fits neatly.  Birdseed is of later vintage.

 

Thanks very much, Jim!

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

[TobyB]

It's an overheat indicator.

The center pops out if it gets over a certain temperature.

 

Usually, it's attached to the head, but I guess you could stick one to a block.

 

And I, for one, am never truly sure about BMW's dates in cast iron-

they don't seem to have consistency, as you note, Steve, between

years, not to mention eras.

I have a half- dozen blocks floating around in the pond-

I'll look when they surface.

 

t

 

[jgerock]

But that "clock" doesn't make much sense to me (like the cylinder heads)

 

III123789 with a detent in the center pointing to the 9 and a dot below the 3 and 7.  Is that the foundry where it was cast?

[Conserv]

16 minutes ago, jgerock said:

But that "clock" doesn't make much sense to me (like the cylinder heads)

 

III123789 with a detent in the center pointing to the 9 and a dot below the 3 and 7.  Is that the foundry where it was cast?

 

Foundry?  Mold number?  I haven't a clue, but I'd like to know!

 

[jgerock]

121 cylinder head from the same engine.  What do the numbers on the front mean (under the cam sprocket)?

[Conserv]

1 hour ago, TobyB said:

It's an overheat indicator.

The center pops out if it gets over a certain temperature.

 

Usually, it's attached to the head, but I guess you could stick one to a block....

 

 

Thanks, Toby,

 

This is good to know.  So would I generally drill a fresh hole and insert this indicator?  And seal it with....um, whatever?  And if it pops up -- like on my Butterball Turkey -- does it mean "my block is done"?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited August 19, 2016 by Conserv

[Ensign]

 block # 2761590

 

Edited August 18, 2016 by Ensign

[Conserv]

12 hours ago, jgerock said:

121 cylinder head from the same engine.  What do the numbers on the front mean (under the cam sprocket)?

 

Uh, I don't know, Jim, but "121" certainly appears multiple times on this 121 head.  My experience says that numbers cast into parts often have no relation to part numbers, dates, or anything else meaningful to users/mechanics/owners.  How about that long sequence of numbers and letters on the underside of the differentials?

 

But the head was certainly cast June 1972 (six nubs around "72") and thus fits the car's July 1972 manufacturing date.  No guarantees, but it is likely original to the engine.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited August 19, 2016 by Conserv